Brisley takes third spot on the national stage

Invicta East Kent AC runners made light of boggy conditions at the National Cross Country Championships at Wollaton Park in Nottingham.

In the under-15 boys’ section, in-form Charlie Brisley ran a competitive race and was rewarded with third place.

Matthew Stonier ran the best race of his season to finish 21st, while, despite a tough start, Sam Newson rallied to finish in the middle of the 400-strong field.

Anna Weston ran an excellent race, despite the mud, to come in 65th in a big field of runners in the junior women’s class.

Alexandra Millard was a little disappointed coming in 32nd in the under-15 girls’ race, after finishing sixth in the Southern Championships.

Despite being novices, Allegra Hinds and Jean Foley finished respectably among the 200s in a field of 426.

In the senior race, Adam Mckenna was 978th out of a field of 1,763.

Meanwhile, Abel Tsegay, Weston, Sarah Hall, Ella Fox, Millard and Brisley took part in the National Inter Counties race in Loughborough.

At the Lydd 20 Miler, Canterbury Harriers AC’S Paul Knight came in 15th on his debut over the distance in a time at 2hr 9min 26sec.

There were personal best performances for David Bowden, who was 25th in 2:14.45, Thom Fentem (2:25.02), Wim Van Vuuren (2:33.00), Paul Elderton (2:33.20), David Dunn (2:48.52) and Rosie Maltby (3:09.15).

At the Lydd Half Marathon, Adam Elston achieved a PB of 1:31.27, while Leisa Foad stopped the clock in 1:55.17 to help take the ladies’ team prize along with Sarah Luton (2:07.15) and Sarah Brenton, on her debut (2:08.55).

Philip Hadler, in his 70s and running his first half marathon, also gained a good debut time of 2:25.44.

Ian Pearson achieved a PB in the Colchester Half Marathon, finishing in 1:27.48.

Canterbury Harriers runners at the Lydd 20-mile race

Sarah Brenton, left, and Leisa Foad – two of the three Canterbury Harriers who took the team prize at Lydd